Bagpuss

Well done Monarchs, didn't think they'd get anywhere near 40. Definitely have a chance in the second leg.

I'm disappointed as his first two meetings were very encouraging. But it is what it is, I expect his Polish team have pulled rank, you wouldn't be surprised if the same happens to Wojdylo before long.

It's for Tarasenko withholding his services.

Really hard to say what will happen without knowing the Lynn team. If everyone is fit and available we ought to be pushing Oxford close but with a few debutantes at the circuit anything more will be a big ask. Nicholls guesting is a big bonus for the Cheetahs.

What's all this ranting and raving based on? Was anybody expecting us to go over and beat the Czechs in their own back yard?

I don't disagree but it's to get his third ride out of the way surely?

I think his poor score in Poland has led to one or two people putting two and two together and getting considerably more than four. By all accounts it all seems completely beyond his control and just one of those things, I guess it might make him want to get an earlier flight in future so there is some wriggle room if necessary.

It's not the bottom league, it's the second division of three. And it's a pretty good standard. Milik is better than his scores for Brum so far.

There must be something going on, I can't imagine it's Basso & Puk being absent as the two guests looked good. There must be riders from either (both) teams who can't/won't travel from Poland or something. All very odd. Unless they are privy to a forecast that nobody else is but that seems highly unlikely.

There's literally no rain forecast by the Met Office tomorrow.

Lawson and MPT as a pairing is interesting

Whatever a rider's gender, surely you give them more than three competitive fixtures to get used to UK racing? Especially if the team has won them all.

Yep that's how it works AFAIK.

60+ for Poole I'd have thought.

Not all, I'm pretty sure King's Lynn were more than happy with Lewis Kerr and Lewis Rose.

But his prediction is based on 25 odd meetings between now and October.

I'd probably wait until the end of the season before calling folk out. However they both look in the right frame of mind and as a result Worky look a really good side at the moment. Reserves look a bit weak but the top five are pretty awesome. Redcar meanwhile have had a really unfortunate start to the season. Hope their luck improves.

Whatever the track is like I think this is a very tall order for Lynn, remembering Sheffield at the AFA last year makes any Stars fan shudder. If Ben is still out its a big blow. Paddy needs to show something much better this week after two poor meetings.

But are the contenders ready

That's the consequence of being a weekend track unfortunately. In this case though Knudsen was a late signing for Redcar and was probably fixed up in Poland long before Christmas.

They will have to have an horrendous season not to finish top 4 IMO. Need Bewley to be much better than that though, not good enough for a rider of his ability.

All indicactions are that they want it grippier than last week.

Let's not forget that Tarasenko top scored in our first two meetings, he had a bad night last night through losing three primary chains in three heats but that doesn't undo his scores v Leicester & BV. The Wojdylo issue seems to be down to Polish engines that are too strong, it needs sorting quickly as the team is designed to have a high scoring reserve. I'm not sure Klindt is the answer personally, he is still to get going really this year after injury and I'm not sure a grippier track would suit him. I don't know who would be though, I'd prefer to see this seven ride themselves into some form but as others have said 4th place could be long gone by then.

It sounds like it was essentially bike issues for both, of course those issues shouldn't be happening and there is a fine line between bad luck and unprofessionalism but the blokes riding those machines are capable of better and the chances are they will produce. MPT is unfortunately exposed in the top five against the better sides and that's a symptom of being under the points limit. Also has to be remembered that it was only Lynn's third meeting, although if we ride another three and are still struggling and without a win it might be time to have a rethink. We need that engine room back fit very soon.